The Pennsylvania State University and the Borough of State College are excited to host the 2019 ITGA City & University Relations Conference, May 19-22. We are seeking interactive and innovative proposals on topics that provide insight into the evolving nature of the work of universities, government entities, and other community partners. The conference theme is " Collaborate/Adapt/Change: Evolving Together to Grow a Thriving Community." Th e PSU and State College have lived the theme in recent years as the have collaborated to create an entrepreneurship ecosystem to drive economic development, changed their approach to fraternity and sorority life, and adapted to moderate the underage and dangerous drinking that impacts communities. To see the conference tracks and other conference details, click here. Proposals must be submitted on or before February 1, 2019. www.itga.org

Driving down Lancaster Avenue, it is hard not to notice what's happening at Villanova. Not only did the university win two basketball national championships in three years, but applications have increased and the campus has expanded. Two large complexes are under construction and a pedestrian bridge, which connects the main campus to new buildings, was built despite pushback. Earlier this year, a fund-raising campaign surpassed its goal by more than $150 million, raising $759 million. Now, university officials are trying to expand that success beyond campus. Villanova Dines Out! Restaurant Week, launched in collaboration with the business community, is one of the several initiatives university officials have undertaken recently in an effort to become a better neighbor. The Inquirer

Fraternities at the University of Minnesota are still figuring out how to implement a hard-alcohol ban that just went into effect. The North American Interfraternity Conference's ban, announced in August, was in response to recent hazing and deaths from over-consumption related to hard alcohol, according to NIC's website. Although fraternities are not required to implement the ban until next September, University of Minnesota fraternities wanted to get an early start. Billy Langer, president of the University Interfraternity Council that oversees most fraternities at the University, said the ban's enforcement will differ by fraternity. Austen Cashman, president of Sigma Phi Epsilon, said they have a three-step policy involving fines, being barred from social events and potential expulsion. Minnesota Daily

A few years ago, over lunch at the University Club on campus, professors Dr. Mike Fox, Dr. Fiona Black, Dr. Andrew Wilson and Dr. Erin Steuter were discussing teaching and learning, including the role of educators and teachers in the community and ways for all disciplines to incorporate partnerships into their teaching. The discussion marked the beginning of a journey towards creating R-PEACE (Research Partnerships for Education and Community Engagement)-a centre for engaged learning. "We are committed as educators to the community," says Fox. Among many other projects, the Centre has been working with Marshview Middle School to help them develop a deep learning project via a special university studies course on community engaged learning. Mount Allison University

The College Park City-University Partnership was awarded $100,000 from the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development through a Community Legacy Grant. Funding for the Partnership's award-winning Homeownership Program enjoys continuing support by matching grants from the City of College Park and the University of Maryland. The Partnership's Homeownership Program provides $15,000 in down payment and closing cost assistance, structured as a 10-year forgivable loan, to regular full-time UMD employees and full-time City of College Park employees choosing to live in College Park. Since the program was launched in 2015, 42 homes have been purchased, bringing at least 92 residents and upwards to 13.9M in home sales. College Park Partnership